The manager massaged her head as she felt a headache forming on her forehead. She let out a sigh and did her best to avoid being impolite with her words while trying to explain to Mia.
"That information is highly confidential and cannot be disclosed. If you want a dress that matches the design, we can make it happen; however, if you continue to be uncivilized and rant here, I will have no choice but to take matters into my own hands."
Mia took note of the hint of threat in her words, regained her composure, she gave the woman and the staffs a glare before storming out.
She was enraged and wanted to rush to Anderson to seek justice, but on the way, she received news that made her blood boil even more.
"What did you say? Avni hosted a party and I did not get an invite, how dare she?" Her eyes narrowed as she glared into the back of her driver's seat.
"It is not like I want my son to marry any of her daughters; how could she throw a party and not invite me?" Mia exclaimed.
Whatever the woman said calmed her down for a moment, but it did not quench her anger. She felt left out and insulted because she had not been invited.
"Hmmp, figure out how to send me an invite. Mia hissed, "I will show her that the Aquila Foundation does not exist without me." Flames were blazing in her eyes; she was going to prove to them who was the real deal.
At the Cole mansion, Oldrich sat inside his garden, holding a cup of tea, while eating the cake that was cut and placed beside him on the wooden table.
The garden looked breathtaking as the sun was setting and cast an orange glow over the flowers surrounding him and on the floor.
He was quietly savouring his evening tea, a peaceful àura cloaked around him, making him look like an immortal who has no worries or concerns for the world.
John entered and stood beside him, not disturbing his peaceful tea time. As he silently observed his boss who wore a rare smile on his face, John wondered if the man was recalling a joke or secretly plotting against his grandson.
After a while, Oldrich's gaze shifted to his assistant, the smile still etched on his lips. John remained silent, standing there like a statue.
"Did you announce to the entire world what I asked you to do?" Oldrich asked, taking a sip of his tea.
John shook his head in negative affirmation. Oldrich gave a nod of approval.
He finished the tea in his cup and placed it on the table with the gentleness that John found endearing about him.
The mere thought of describing Oldrich as cute made John's normally composed expression falter. He made an effort to hide his smile, but Oldrich saw it and called him out on it.
"Why are you smiling? I do not recall making any jokes here."
His expression became unsightly as a result of his attempts to suppress a smile.
Seeing that the man was staring at him and waiting for an explanation, he said, "You were being cute with the way you drank the tea and dropped the cup so gently on the table."
Oldrich expressed surprise, saying, "What a beautiful compliment, I might have looked like a dog or a cat in your imagination, might as well bark and meow with my nose up." The displeasure over John's statement was evident in his sarcastic words.
John was alarmed by his master's words, but he could not say anything in response because any additional words would cost him his life.
Oldrich gave him a fierce look for referring to him as cute. For him, cute was reserved for animals; he would much rather be called adorable.
For a split second, he grinned at himself before scowling and glaring at John once more.
"And why are you standing there like a wall? If you have anything to say, go ahead."
John felt his back getting wet and hurriedly opened his pad to give his report so he could get out of sight. It isn't always healthy to be near the old man for long.
Clearing his throat which he often did before reporting anything he said, "Louise went on a date with Sonya, and..."
"What! So soon!" Oldrich exclaimed in surprise. He had just denied having feelings for the doctor a few days ago, but now they are out on a date together.
"Where did they go?" He questioned, his eyes gleaming sharply.
"It was about Sianna's health," John explained, bursting his bubbles.
Oldrich's eyes darkened and a sullen expression appeared on his face. He knew he had to step in or Louise would lose such a good girl.
"What about Mia?" Oldrich thought of his daughter-in-law, whom he had not seen since the morning.
He knew she was somewhere causing him problems, but he shook his head at the idea. It will not be Mia if no one knows about her mischief outside.
"Madam, she had a small argument with the manager about a dress when she went shopping at Mr. Welsh Designers this evening." John hesitated to finish his sentence.
"What happened with the dress?" Oldrich inquired as his gaze focused on his assistant.
"She wanted the dress specially made and designed for Mrs. Aquila."
"Isn't that Sonya's mother?" Oldrich's eyes grew wide with disbelief. John nodded in response, and the older man inhaled sharply.
"I have always known she was a jinx!" He exclaimed aloud. Irritation spread over his face. "Here I am trying to ally with the family, and Mia, being such a good mother, is going to ruin it before I even get started,"
A few minutes after his outburst, Oldrich sat in silence as he considered the various ways he could punish his daughter-in-law for her careless behavior and ongoing embarrassment to the family.
She was one of the primary reasons why no family wanted to give their daughters away, even on a blind date. She is the kind of woman that no respectable family would want as a relative. She has completely lost all sense of shame.
"Watch out for her closely, make her apologize if she went too far, and make sure this does not get out of hand," Oldrich gave the order. "There should not be any kind of conflict between them, at least not until my plan works out,"
John nodded, but his thoughts were racing about what his boss had planned; things were not going to be quiet any longer, and there would be plenty of drama in the days ahead.
He does, however, agree with the old man's resolve to marry Louise to the doctor. Based on his observations, the woman appears to be competent, understanding, and kind. She will be an excellent match for his young Master, assisting him in maintaining his health.
The thought of Louise's health reminded him of something the old man had ignored. When Oldrich relaxed, he bent his body and poured tea from the tea pot.
"If I am allowed, sir, may I say something?"
Oldrich responded with a hum, and John went on to tell him about his thoughts. "If you manage to pull your trick and get Louise married to the doctor, how will we conceal the truth from her?"
Oldrich's hand that was holding the cup suddenly stopped in front of his lips.
John felt he had said something inappropriate again and quickly apologized, but Oldrich waved him to stop. He dropped the cup and stared ahead in a daze.
His gaze darkened slightly as his assistant's words sank in. He was too thrilled to pay attention to Louise's secret, which he could not afford for anyone to discover—especially not the woman who would become his wife.
Louise does not remember what happened then because his brain could not bear the guilt and horror of that night eleven years ago and chose to forget about it, burying it deep inside his mind. And, combined with the strange treatment he received from Dr. Humphrey, he finds it difficult to remember anything about that day and even most of his relationships with people.
He did not worry about Louise unlocking that part of the memory because Dr. Humphrey had assured him, but the doctor girl, if she is as good as the rumors claim, will undoubtedly discover something is wrong.
"Make sure no one talks about it, especially Mia. Also, check the witnesses from that night to ensure that no one will come knocking on our door to cause trouble," he told John beside him.
He has swore to hide the secret from everyone and is not going to let anyone uncover it. For Louise sake, for Sianna and for his late wife's sake. He failed before but swore to not fail again.
Unbeknownst to him, Sonya was already looking into the secret he was trying to keep forever.